Sunday, January 18, 2009

Just a few moments away from the NHL's first game on NBC this season and the novelty of a conference championship football game in ARIZONA, I decided to enter my "what if" machine.

With trade rumors buzzing, and the deadline looming in less than 45 days, one can only wonder what roster moves the Capitals may make to help boost the team through the playoffs. What I've compiled is a few of the players I would like to see wearing Capitals red in the future in a feature I'm calling

"Players we'd love to see in red* (*if they were willing to take a pay cut or we made some moves)

This is Part I of a three-part series that I plan to post for three Sundays in a row.

If there is one position that Caps fans have lamented the lack of, it's defense, more specifically, defensive defensemen.

The Capitals do have a rising star in Karl Alzner and Tom Poti has quickly become the Caps best defensive player, but the truth is you can never have too many sound defensemen. That's where Volchenkov comes in. He's a true-blue stay-at-home guy with a knack for blocking shots, a physical player who doesn't shy away from hits or taking one for the team.

This season he has two goals, one assist and is a negative 13 through 31 games played. It's not the best numbers in the world, but that's more or less the result of Volchenkov playing on a Senators team that has gone from Stanley Cup contender to sub-.500 play in the past three years.

If you want to see the "real" Volchenkov, just look at his 2006-2007 numbers. One goal, 18 assists and a plus 37.

His defensive skills are more than enticing, but what I think might be a dealmaker is his nationality. A native of Moscow, he'd be joining a Capitals team that is filled to the brim with Russian talent.

Chances of wearing red? It's possible, but I wouldn't count on it. He's not too expensive, and his contract is coming to an end next season. With the Sens recent troubles, Volchenkov may want to move to greener pastures, but you have to think that Ottawa is going to have a hard time parting with him and will give him a worthy offer sheet.